Isaiah 11 and 12
IN order, in our progress through this most instructive book, we have found,
First, the state of man (Israel, it is true, but man nevertheless), and God’s proposal of cleansing and blessing, with the assurance that His enemies would be dealt with (chapter 1).
Second, the declaration that Jerusalem shall be the capital city of the world, the seat of government and the center of earthly blessing of the highest order, when the day of Jehovah has come, and He shall judge among the nations, and wars shall cease (chapter 2).
Third, that in that day there will be a Branch, or Sprout, of Jehovah for beauty and glory, —Jehovah will dwell in Zion (chapter 4).
In chapter 8 the land of Israel under the heel of the invading Assyrian is Immanuel’s land, and He will subdue every enemy, though for a time He would be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but afterwards He is seen with “the children that Jehovah hath given Me,”—the begotten-again of Israel.
In chapter 9 Immanuel, the child born to Israel, is the Head of all Government, the Wonderful, the Counselor, the Mighty God, the Father of the Coming Age, the Prince of Peace.
Upon Him shall the spirit of Jehovah rest. In verse 3 the best text is “And His delight will be in the fear of Jehovah, and He shall not judge, etc.” Blessed will be this poor world, when He rules it and its present ruler (Matthew 4:8, 98Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (Matthew 4:8‑9); Revelation 2:1313I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. (Revelation 2:13); John 11:3030Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. (John 11:30)) is deposed and in chains (Revelation 20:1-31And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (Revelation 20:1‑3)).
Then will Jehovah set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His earthly people which shall be left when His judgments are over. Pathros (verse 11) is upper Egypt; Cush is Ethiopia, Elam is Persia; Shinar is west of Persia—pact of Irak. Hamath is north of Damascus.
There will be physical changes too (verses 15, 16). Read “into seven streams” instead of “in the seven streams.”
Chapter 12 Concludes this most interesting and instructive section of the prophecy of Isaiah with a song of praise, Israel’s praise to God. The sighs, and groans and tears of the past will be remembered only to magnify the grace of our Saviour God.
The reader will note that God’s purposes for Israel are entirely distinct from His purposes for the Church; the one is earthly in prospect, the other a heavenly body. The present period of grace, from the cross to the Lord’s coming to take His Church away (1 Thessalonians 4) is entirely passed by in Isaiah’s prophecy.
ML 05/28/1933